This can be one of the most challenging times of the year for parents. Local students head back to school on Wednesday and Thursday, meaning anyone with school age children is about to have their routine change in a big way.

Bed times have to be adjusted and morning routines have to be created. Even for the best parents, getting children up, ready and excited for school can be difficult.

Experts recommend meeting your student’s teacher and getting children familiar with the school they’ll be attending before the first day. Even a quick meeting with a teacher can reduce a child’s anxiety, and will probably put parents at ease too.

Of course, the hardest thing about this time of year is probably adjusting bed time. Experts say the best way to do it is to start adjusting weeks ahead of time, but if you’re reading this now and haven’t adjusted, you’ve still got a night to start a new routine before school starts.

Before the first day, it’s probably best to have everything organized and ready to go. Experts recommend making sure school supplies, medical forms and other necessities are packed up, signed and ready to go before that first morning.

It’s already going to be hectic, so don’t give yourself the opportunity to leave something behind.

Organizing everything the night before is probably the best way to prevent that from happening. Most importantly, experts recommend doing your best to get children excited about school. Just like adults, children are more successful with a good night’s rest and when they are motivated and happy.

We wish all parents good luck as the sun sets on summer break, and we hope all local children have a great school year.